Restoration of a fire-damaged youth clubhouse in Lake Elsinore is wrapping up and a reopening celebration is set for Thursday, Feb. 6.

Maryann Edwards, chief executive officer of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest County, said the Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse at 3711 Nichols Road has been overhauled and improved in the aftermath of the Sept. 24 blaze.

Meanwhile, the club has continued to run its before- and after-school educational and recreational programs by holding them outdoors and in a tent donated by a local company. About 90 children attend the activities daily.

âAfter the fire we never missed a beat,â Edwards said. âWe never missed one minute of operations.â

The celebration, which starts at 6 p.m. and includes food and beverages, will honor agencies and businesses who contributed to the restoration effort and helped the club get by while the clubhouse was off-limits.

Fire officials said a malfunctioning refrigerator in one room sparked the fire. While firefighters managed to contain the fire to the room, smoke and the sprinkler system caused about $335,000 worth of damage to the 3,500-square-foot building.

As a result, the company hired to do the repairs, Murrieta-based Right Stop Restoration, overhauled the entire structure with the exception of two unscathed rooms.

âItâs going to be phenomenal,â Edwards said of the rejuvenated clubhouse. âI think the staff has done such a great job outdoors, â¦ theyâre going to feel like theyâve won the lottery when they get back in the clubhouse. It looks better than new.â

In addition to new walls, ceilings, paint and carpet, the structure includes a heating system where there had been none before. Clubhouse Director Evan Parry said there is a new kitchen area, furniture, computers and pool tables. Walls have been decorated with colorful murals painted by Eina Bellefontaine.

âThe clubhouse was already nice and now itâs just spectacular,â Parry said. â(The restoration) took it to a whole other level.â

Contact Michael J. Williams at 951-368-9690 or michaelwilliams@pe.com

WHAT: Reopening celebration for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Countyâs Alberhill Ranch Clubhouse after it was damaged by fire on Sept. 24.

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